2/9/2011 9:40:16 PM

February 2, 2011

Health Arts Society and the City of Toronto launch
ArtsWay concerts in Toronto

Health Arts Society of Ontario and the City of
Toronto launched the ArtsWay series of concerts
today at City of Toronto long-term care home
Castleview Wychwood Towers (351 Christie St.).

Cast members of Canadian Opera Company's
production of Mozart's The Magic Flute performed a
45-minute concert of excerpts from the opera for
the benefit of the home's residents, featuring
vocalists Simone Osborne and Frederic Antoun, with
Canadian Opera Company music director Johannes
Debus at the piano. This was the first in a pilot
series of 40 Health Arts Society ArtsWay concerts
at the City's 10 long-term care homes.

The City of Toronto is Ontario's largest not-for-
profit long-term care provider, providing the
highest level of care and customer service to
approximately 2,600 residents in 10 long-term care
homes. Toronto Long-Term Care Homes and Services
is committed to ensuring residents' quality of
life as it pertains to their physical,
psychological and emotional well-being. The
division offers a range of arts programs,
including art therapy, music therapy, and a range
of volunteer performances.

"This new professional-level musical experience is
a wonderful addition to the menu of life-enriching
programs we offer our residents," said Sandra
Pitters, General Manager of Toronto Long-Term Care
Homes and Services.

"The launch of this concert series signifies an
important step toward increasing the accessibility
of arts and cultural programming in Toronto," said
Alexander Neef, the company's general director.
"The Canadian Opera Company is proud to
collaborate with Health Arts Society of Ontario to
draw attention to this commendable initiative."

The Canadian Opera Company's production of The
Magic Flute runs from January 29 to February 25 at
the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

Health Arts Society of Ontario is grateful to the
Canadian Opera Company and to the superb cast for
making this concert available. It reflects the
highest aspiration of Health Arts Society of
Ontario; to reflect professional music making for
the benefit of those no longer able to attend
performances in the community.

Health Arts Society of Ontario is one of a group
of Canadian charities dedicated to providing to
people isolated in long-term care, particularly
frail elders, the enjoyment and stimulation of
professionally performed music. The Society plans
to deliver 400 concerts in Ontario long-term care
homes in 2011.

Associate organizations of Health Arts Society of
Ontario, which support and espouse the values of
its work, include the Canadian Opera Company,
Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the University of
Toronto's Faculty of Music.

BMO Financial Group is generously providing
initial funding for this program. BMO Financial
Group's leadership enables of the Ontario debut of
the program, one that is already established in
British Columbia and Quebec. By the end of 2011,
Health Arts Societies will be established in all
provinces.